How to Paint a Landscape With Watercolors

Painting outdoors is a peaceful way to enjoy a beautiful day. Keep a backpack full of painting supplies and you can be ready to go whenever the inspiration strikes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Art Sets
• Fan Watercolor Paintbrushes
• Flat Watercolor Paintbrushes
• Putty Erasers
• Round Watercolor Paintbrushes
• Watercolor Blocks
• Watercolor Brush Cleaners
• Watercolor Brush Holders
• Watercolor Paintbrushes
• Heavy Cardboard
• Masking Tape
• Masking Tape
• Facial Facial Tissues
• Water Containers
• Pencils
• Pencils
• Watercolor Paints
• Watercolor Paper
• Backpacks
• Pencils

1. Tape a piece of watercolor paper to a heavy piece of cardboard using masking tape. Run the tape along the entire edges of all four sides of the paper.

2. Use a soft lead pencil to begin your painting with a simple sketch.

3. Locate and draw the horizon line, which is the line formed where the sky and the land meet.

4. Sketch in the background objects: hills, mountains, distant trees. Background objects are typically smaller and have less detail than objects in the foreground.

5. Sketch the objects in the foreground. These objects will be larger and more detailed.

6. Use clear water and a flat brush to dampen the sky area of your picture.

7. If you're painting on a sunny day, use a medium round brush to paint a blue sky over the sky area while the paper is damp. This is applying what is called a 'wash.'

8. Create clouds by blotting the sky with a crumpled tissue while the paint is still wet.

9. Use the same wash technique to paint in large areas of background color such as hills, mountains, water and grass.

10. Wait until the watercolor paper is dry or almost dry to paint details; your paintbrush should also be nearly dry. This technique, which gives you more control over the paint flow, is called 'dry brush.'

11. Paint in details using a small round brush. Mix paint with more water to create softer, lighter hues. Use less water to create darker, more vivid colors and harder edges.

12. Allow your finished painting to dry completely, then carefully peel away the masking tape from the edges of the paper. This will leave a nice white border around the edge of your painting.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider buying a watercolor block, which is a pad of water-color paper that is glued on all four sides. A watercolor block is rigid, which makes it easy to take anywhere so you can do without a drawing board.
• Postcard-size watercolor pads are available in many stores, and they're fun to take on trips. Friends will appreciate receiving a hand-painted landscape postcard from you.

on 11/22/2005 Place your paint in an empty, plastic egg container. You have 12 empty cells for different colors and you can mix them there too. Just throw it away when you're done.

on 11/22/2005 Recycle masonite as a substitute for canvases for oils or acrylics. Prime it, then go over it with gesso, or just paint directly on the primer.

on 11/22/2005 Mix colors ahead of time. Let them dry in egg cartons. Use the top of the carton for creating color tints. When finished, throw away the used carton.